Sr. Maxine Shonk, OP, (80), a native of Lancaster, OH, died on June 13, 2024, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse, Columbus, OH. 
 
Born to Bernardine Tooill and Earl J. Shonk in 1943, she entered the Congregation in 1962, made first profession in 1965, and took her final vows in 1970. Sister Maxine would have celebrated her 60th jubilee in 2025. 
 
Max earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Saint Mary of the Springs College, Columbus, OH, her Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Providence College, RI, and her Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago. She also earned certification in Spiritual Direction from the Institute for Spiritual Direction.  
 
Maxine ministered as an elementary and secondary school teacher and administrator in Ohio and Connecticut before she answered God’s call to pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and retreat work. She used her knowledge and experience as an administrator of the Spirituality Network, as a staff member at the Heartland Center for Spirituality in Kansas, and as an adjunct professor at Ohio Dominican University.  

Sister Maxine was deeply committed to guiding individuals in their quest for a closer relationship with God. Through her ministry as RCIA Director and pastoral minister at various parishes across central Ohio, and her work with our Associates, she made countless contributions to their spiritual growth. She was the author of two books, Blessing Upon Blessing and Silver Linings: Blessings for Shadow Times. 
 
In her preaching at the funeral, Sr. Noreen Malone, OP, wrote, “Her humility was one her greatest attributes. She always seemed amazed when she’d read something she had written saying that she didn’t know where it came from, but quickly realized that, of course, it was God [...] through her. Max was so real and so human and through that she freed others to be the same. Listening closely to them, she accepted people just as they are and in doing so, empowered them to be who they are.” 

She was preceded in death by her parents Earl J. and Bernardine Tooill Shonk, her brothers: Bernard, Philip, Theodore and Lawrence and her sisters-in-law: Betty, Joyce and Regina. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Jane (Leo) Thimmes, her brothers and sisters-in-law: James, David, Mark, John (Kathy), Thomas (Debbie), Dr. Richard (Susan), Christopher, and Kevin (Karen), and her sisters-in-law: Phyllis and Sharon. 

A private vigil of remembrance was held on July 1, 2024, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel, Columbus, OH. 

A funeral liturgy was held at St. Pius X Church in Reynoldsburg, OH, on July 2, 2024. The burial will take place at a later date. 

Memorial gifts in Sister’s name memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.